Updated figures for the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) show that emissions from sites covered by the scheme were 3.2% higher last year than in 2009, together amounting to 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalents. Emissions from traded sectors increased by almost 40% in Estonia and by about 30% in Sweden and Latvia. The next largest increase was in Finland (20%). Emissions fell in Denmark, Malta, Spain, Portugal and Romania.

Credits from international projects accounted for about 7% of the allowances and credits surrendered this year, and their use was 68% higher than last year. Seventeen plants appear to have covered more than 90% of their 2010 emissions with international credits. These include Romanian energy firm SC RAFO SA, a site in France owned by paper company Stora Enso and a Spanish gas compression facility.